Why I Started Tying It Together

I didn’t begin my career in association leadership. I found it while searching for work that mattered.

After an early role in journalism, a simple question from a career counselor, “What do you do for fun?”, led me to realize that my passion for volunteerism and community service could become a profession. That discovery introduced me to the association world, where I experienced firsthand how leadership, governance and service can either empower people or hold organizations back.

Tying It Together Consulting was created to help associations and other mission-driven organizations benefit from those lessons. I help leaders connect governance, strategy, staff, membership, and mission so their organizations can lead with clarity, confidence and purpose.

How I Work (and Why Clients Like It)

I work as a collaborative thought partner, someone who understands both the strategic responsibilities of boards and the operational realities staff face every day. My approach is practical, candid and grounded in lived experience, not theory. I help leaders simplify complexity, ask better questions and move from discussion to clear, actionable decisions.

Clients value my ability to step into complex situations calmly, build trust quickly and work seamlessly across governance and operations, bringing clarity, alignment and steady progress.

Today, that work often takes shape through signature systems such as the House of Governance™ and the Membership Flywheel™, which help organizations diagnose what is slowing them down and identify practical next steps.

What I Believe About Associations

Associations are at their best when governance is clear, leadership is intentional and staff and volunteers understand their distinct, but interconnected roles. Boards exist to govern strategically; staff exist to execute with excellence and members deserve experiences that reflect the organization’s mission and values. When those elements are aligned, associations do more than function. They build trust, create momentum and deliver meaningful value to the people they serve.

Who I’m a Fit For (and who I’m not)

I work best with organizations that are open to reflection, committed to improvement and ready to move forward with intention. My clients value clarity, accountability and thoughtful leadership. I am not the right fit for organizations looking for quick fixes, outsourced decision-making or checkbox consulting. The work we do together is meaningful and it requires engagement and trust on both sides.